Talks on sustainability and climate change have shifted from a peripheral discussion to the very core of global discourse. In the Philippines, major corporations, organizations, and the government continuously take action for sustainability and push for efforts to educate people on how they can spark change from the littlest to the biggest decisions they make every day.

One of the key players in this growing movement is the Manila Bulletin, a major media outlet that has long advocated for sustainability. Three years ago, it inaugurated the Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum that gathered industry leaders to share their initiatives, encourage people to join the conversation, and ultimately, take action. This event aims to keep these topics prominent in people's consciousness. They believe in taking small but consistent steps to raise awareness and make a meaningful impact.

This is where platforms like this forum come in—by continually asking the right questions to keep the public informed and engaged. Sustainability is not a grand, singular gesture; rather, it is about making little decisions that, over time, contribute to something larger, trickling down to create a ripple effect that can inspire lasting change.

The theme for this year’s forum, “Bridging the Gap,” underscores the need for collaborative efforts and effective communication to overcome the barriers hindering sustainable progress. Central to this dialogue is the youth, a group that is both vulnerable to the consequences of climate change and vital to the solutions that will shape the future.

They represent the future of our world, and the decisions made today will significantly impact their lives. Today, this age group constitutes 16 percent of the global population, and by 2030, it is expected to grow by 7 percent, reaching nearly 1.3 billion people. This demographic is poised to inherit the challenges and consequences of current environmental and climate policies. However, they are not passive recipients of these outcomes, but active agents of change.

Young people worldwide have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability through innovative ideas, bold advocacy, and collective action. From Greta Thunberg’s Fridays for Future movement to local youth-led climate strikes and environmental initiatives, young people are demanding bolder action from governments, businesses, and institutions.

They understand the urgency of addressing climate change, not as a distant problem, but one that will directly affect their future well-being. As such, they have a vested interest in pushing for transformative policies and practices that will secure a livable planet for generations to come.

The Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum recognizes the importance of youth engagement in the sustainability movement, which is why the forum will, once again, take place in an academic institution at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Institute of Biology Auditorium. This choice aims to provide a platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions about sustainability, empowering them to become champions of environmental and social causes.

The Manila Bulletin Sustainability Forum 2024 will be held on November 19 to 20, and the program will start at 9 a.m.

To register, visit http://bit.ly/4eaBxRG. For inquiries, contact [email protected].